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Come and Look at Banksias with Us.

Autumn· Nature Study· Plants

19 Apr

Are you interested in finding out more about the Banksia plant? This week, we are spending time with A Handbook for A Bush Calendar: Lesson 35 is all about Banksia Flowers.

I love how Amy Mack describes her arms are full of flowers and she just can’t resist stopping at a Banksia to collect some of their spectacular flowers to add to her wildflower bouquet.

“In a very short time I had my arms as full as they would hold. At least, I thought so, until I caught sight, just ahead, of a tall banksia, covered with gorgeous flower-spikes, their rich bronze-red glowing in the morning light. It was Banksia ericifolia, one of the handsomest of the honeysuckles, or bottle brushes as they are alternately called. There is, I think, no more decorative plant in the bush than this particular banksia…” A Bush Calendar – Amy Mack

When we were out walking last week, we came unexpectedly upon a scattering of Banksias and I felt like I understood Amy’s joy at finding one of the most handsome flowers. The ones we came across were yellow in colour. We were able to observe the flowers, cones, and leaves.

If you are unable to go out and search for plants, why not try the National Museum of Australia’s interactive page called Knowing Plants. You can choose a location visited by Sir Joseph Banks, and explore the plants from that area. Sir Joseph collected and cataloged plants, along with Daniel Solander, Sydney Parkinson, Alexander Buchan and Herman Sporing, on the Endeavour’s Pacific voyage. The Banksia plant is named after him.

When we returned from our walk, I found some information on Sir Joseph Banks and his famous Florilegium to share with the children.

I’m not sure that it is possible to do a lesson on the Banksia without including the Bad Banksia Men, created by May Gibbs. So, we read Tales from the Bush, and I set up an invitation for the children to create their own Snugglepot and Cuddlepie story characters.

We are still hoping to add to our nature journals later on in the week.

What will you be doing to explore the beautiful Banksia flower?

Don’t forget to add your Banksia Study to your Nature Club work.

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Jo: Wife, Home-school Mum and Homemaker

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

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Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

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Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/
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